Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have taken the helm of a new initiative dubbed "Doge," aiming to fulfill former President Donald Trump's vision of a radical government overhaul. As joint heads, Musk and Ramaswamy are steering this non-governmental body to slash public spending significantly. Despite lacking the status of an official government agency, Doge has already made its presence felt by dispatching emissaries to over a dozen federal agencies, seeking areas ripe for budget cuts.
Operating out of SpaceX's Washington D.C. offices, over 50 staffers are engaged in this ambitious project. Doge plans to expand its workforce to 100 by the time of Trump's anticipated inauguration on January 20. The organization is actively recruiting full-time staff for salaried positions across IT, HR, and finance.
Musk has set an audacious target to cut $2 trillion in spending, though he acknowledges this goal may be overly optimistic.
"I think we’ll try for $2tn. I think that’s like the best-case outcome,” he stated, adding, “But I do think that you kind of have to have some overage. I think if we try for $2tn, we've got a good shot at getting $1 [tn].”
The initiative has encountered skepticism and resistance from career workers within government departments. In response, Steve Davis, president of Musk's Boring Company, has been brought in as a key leadership figure to navigate these challenges. Recruitment efforts have been strategically directed towards expertise in legislation and regulation.
Musk's call for "super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week" has sparked significant interest.
“super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week” – Elon Musk
He claims an overwhelming response from potential applicants eager to join the movement.
To bolster Trump's election campaign, Musk contributed approximately $275 million from his personal wealth, underscoring his commitment to the cause. This financial backing aligns with Doge's mission to align with the former president's goals of reducing government size and expenditure.